M-AUDIO Fast Track Ultra 8R User Manual

Quick Start Guide

English

Fast Track Ultra 8R

Rack-mountable 8 x 8 USB 2.0 Audio Interface

with MX Core DSP Technology

Quick Start Guide 1Fast Track Ultra 8R

English

‣

Introduction

Thanks for choosing M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R, the professional audio and MIDI
interface for your Windows or Macintosh computer. Using the convenience and
dependability of the industry-standard USB 2.0 bus, Fast Track Ultra 8R offers
unequalled routing power and versatility, high-resolution, 24-bit audio at sampling
rates up to 96kHz, sixteen channels of MIDI in and out and on-board DSP for a useful
selection of reverb and delay effects.

This Quick Start Guide is designed to give you a basic overview of Fast Track Ultra 8R,
to get you up and running quickly. Even if you are an experienced computer user and
digital recording enthusiast, we suggest you take the time to read the accompanying
User Guide, included on the Fast Track Ultra 8R CD-ROM. It will help you get the most
out of your Fast Track Ultra 8R.

What’s in the Box

Your Fast Track Ultra 8R package contains the following:

‣ Fast Track Ultra 8R
‣ Breakout cable providing MIDI

and S/PDIF I/O connectors

‣ Printed Quick Start Guide
‣ Fast Track Ultra 8R CD-ROM,

including drivers and documentation

‣ Software Bundle Disc
‣ USB Cable
‣ 9VDC 4000mA power supply

Minimum System Requirements

Windows

Fast Track Ultra 8R is supported under Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or later,
or Windows Vista (32-bit editions). It is not supported under Windows 2000,
Windows 98, 98SE or Windows ME. Please see the note below regarding System
Updates before making any updates to your operating system.

Minimum System Requirements

Windows XP with SP2

1.6 GHz CPU
( CPU requirements may be

higher for laptops)

DirectX 9.0c

Native USB 2.0 port

512 MB RAM

Windows Vista (32-bit editions)

1.6 GHz CPU
(CPU requirements may be higher for
laptops)

Native USB 2.0 port

1 GB RAM

Quick Start Guide2 Fast Track Ultra 8R

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Mac OS X

Fast Track Ultra 8R is supported by Intel-based or PowerPC-based Macs running
Mac OS X version 10.4.11 or 10.5.2 or later.

Minimum System Requirements*

PowerPC

Mac OS X – 10.4.11 / 10.5.2

Native USB 2.0 port

512 MB RAM

G4 1GHz CPU

( G4 accelerator cards

not supported)

Intel

Mac OS X – 10.4.11 / 10.5.2

Native USB 2.0 port

512 MB RAM

Intel CPU

*M-Audio suggests that you also check the minimum system requirements for

your audio software, as they may be greater than the above.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Fast Track Ultra 8R has been designed as a USB 2.0

device. USB 1.1 operation is not supported.

A Note About System Updates: Please check the M-Audio driver download page at

http://www.m-audio.com/drivers for the availability of an updated driver before you decide to

install operating system updates.

Before new M-Audio device drivers are released, they are tested for use with the operating

system versions that are available at that time. When updates for an operating system are

released by Microsoft or Apple, all M-Audio device drivers have to be re-tested and possibly

updated to ensure proper operation.

M-Audio recommends refraining from installing operating system updates until a driver has

been posted to the M-Audio website for that specific operating system.

Quick Start Guide 3Fast Track Ultra 8R

English

‣

Installing Fast Track Ultra 8R

Installation Instructions for Windows XP and Vista

PLEASE NOTE: Make sure Fast Track Ultra 8R is detached from your computer
when beginning the installation. The following instructions will indicate when you
should connect the interface to your computer.

1. We recommend that you download the most recent Fast Track Ultra 8R drivers
by going to the Support > Drivers page at www.m-audio.com. This ensures
that you have the newest drivers available. If you do not have Internet access,
insert the Fast Track Ultra 8R CD-ROM into your computer to install the
drivers that came with the interface.

a. If you are installing drivers from the

Fast Track Ultra 8R CD-ROM, the
computer will automatically display
the interactive install screen 1
when the CD-ROM is inserted. If
your computer fails to launch this
application, you can manually start it
by clicking on Start > My Computer*
> Fast Track Ultra 8R CD-ROM.
Next, select Fast Track Ultra 8R from
the menu and click “Install.”

*If you are using Windows Vista,

“My Computer” will be labeled “Computer” in this step.

b. If you are installing drivers from www.m-audio.com, simply double-click the

file once it has finished downloading.

2. Follow the driver installer’s on-screen instructions.

3. At various points in this installation process, you may be notified that the driver
being installed has not passed Windows Logo Testing, or asked whether the
program you wish to run is a trusted application. Click “Continue Anyway” 2
(Windows XP) or “Install” 3 (Windows Vista) to proceed with installation.

32

4. Once the installer has completed, click “Finish.”

1

Quick Start Guide4 Fast Track Ultra 8R

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5. Connect Fast Track Ultra 8R to a power outlet and to an available USB 2.0
port on your computer.

6. Turn on Fast Track Ultra 8R. If you are using Windows Vista, your Fast Track
Ultra 8R installation is now complete. If you are using Windows XP, proceed
to steps 7-10.

7. Windows XP will identify the interface and will ask if you want to search the
Internet for a driver. Select “No, not this time” and press “Next”.

4

8. Windows XP will display a Found New Hardware Wizard. Choose “Install the
software automatically” and click “Next.”

5

9. Once the Wizard has completed, click “Finish.” You may be presented with a
second Found New Hardware Wizard. If so, then repeat steps 7-10.

10. When the installation is complete, you will see a message stating “Your new
hardware is installed and ready to use.”

4

5

Installation Instructions for Mac OS X

1. We recommend that you download the most recent Fast Track Ultra 8R drivers
by going to the Support > Drivers page at www.m-audio.com. This ensures
that you have the newest drivers available. If you do not have Internet access,
insert the Fast Track Ultra 8R CD-ROM into your computer to install the
drivers that came with the interface.

a. If you are installing drivers from the Fast Track Ultra 8R CD-ROM, a

CD-ROM icon will appear on your desktop once the disc is inserted into
your computer. Double-click this icon to view the contents of the disc. Next,
double-click “Open Me.” Finally, select your product from the drop-down
menu on the welcome screen

1

and click “Install.”

b. If you are installing drivers from www.m-audio.com, the downloaded file

should automatically mount and display its contents. If this file does not
automatically mount after it has finished downloading, click on the file from
the download stack (Mac OS X 10.5), or double-click the file from the
desktop (Mac OS X 10.4) to display its contents. Next, double-click the
installer application.

Quick Start Guide 5Fast Track Ultra 8R

English

‣

2. Follow the driver installer’s on-screen instructions. During Installation,
Mac OS X will ask you to enter your user name and password. Enter this
information and click OK to confirm. If you have not configured a password
for your computer, leave the password field blank and click OK. If you are not
the computer’s owner, ask the owner or your Administrator for the missing
information.

3. When the installer has completed, click “Restart.” Your computer will reboot
automatically.

4. After your computer has finished starting up, connect Fast Track Ultra 8R to a
power outlet and to an available USB 2.0 port on your computer.

5. Turn on Fast Track Ultra 8R.

Recording Analog Inputs

Connect microphones or line level sources via the rear-panel combo XLR/TRS
inputs, or electric instruments via the front-panel Instrument inputs (channels 1
and 2), making sure the Mic/Line - Instrument selector switches are set to the
correct input. Use the gain pots to set the recording levels, making sure that the
LED Clip meters are never lit red. Engage Phantom Power if using condenser
Microphones. If using the line inputs, the gain pots for the associated mic inputs
should be turned down to avoid unwanted noise. See the User Guide for more
information on recording input sources.

Recording Digital Inputs

Connect a digital S/PDIF source to the rear-panel S/PDIF input. Go to the
Settings tab in the Fast Track Ultra 8R control panel and select S/PDIF as the
clock source to ensure proper digital clocking. See the User Guide for more
information on digital synchronization.

Quick Start Guide6 Fast Track Ultra 8R

‣

Adjusting the Output Level

Connect Fast Track Ultra 8R’s rear-panel line outputs to a mixing console, amplifier
or powered monitors. Outputs 1 and 2 can be directly controlled by the front-panel
main output level knob. Other outputs are controlled via your DAW application or
the Fast Track Ultra 8R Control Panel.

Headphone Monitoring

Use the “Monitor 1/2” and “Monitor 3/4” Control Panel tabs to create separate
monitor mixes for the first and second headphone outputs. The first headphone
jack outputs the same audio signal as rear-panel outputs 1/2 while the second
headphone jack outputs the same audio signal as rear panel outputs 3/4. See the
Fast Track Ultra 8R User Guide section titled “Monitor Tabs” for more information
about creating monitor mixes.

Warranty

Warranty Terms

M-Audio warrants products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship,
under normal use and provided that the product is owned by the original,
registered user. Visit www.m-audio.com/warranty for terms and limitations applying
to your specific product.

Warranty Registration

Immediately registering your new M-Audio product entitles you to full warranty
coverage and helps M-Audio develop and manufacture the finest quality products
available. Register online at www.m-audio.com/register to receive FREE product
updates and for the chance to win M-Audio giveaways.

WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of
California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands

after handling.

Fast Track Ultra 8R

Tested to comply with
FCC standards

FOR HOME OR STUDIO USE

© 2008 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications,
system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid,
M-Audio and Fast Track Ultra 8R are either trademarks or registered trademarks of
Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their
respective owners.

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